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The logo for the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

If a bill preventing the state from contracting with companies boycotting goods or services from Israel passes through the Legislature, lawmakers can expect a legal challenge.

At a news conference Monday, representatives from the Oklahoma chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the ACLU said they are prepared to file a lawsuit against the legislation.

House Bill 3967 passed through the Oklahoma House last week and has now moved to the Senate.

It would apply to state contracts in excess of $100,000 with companies that are specifically advocating for the boycott, disinvestment or sanction of Israel unless the company is exempt by the secretary of state.

“We are calling on our allies in the Senate to stop this unconstitutional piece of legislation before it continues to proceed,” said Veronica Laizure, civil rights director for CAIR. “Should HB 3967 be signed into law, we are prepared to file legal challenges to this unlawful restriction on our civil rights to engage in constitutionally protected speech.”

Mike Redman, interim legal director for the ACLU Oklahoma chapter, said there is a long history of challenging legislation that “prohibits economic boycotts or political protests,” which the Supreme Court has ruled are protected free speech.

The state would have to justify exactly why this type of bill was necessary and constitutional if a legal challenge is filed.

“These are very high burdens that the state cannot meet,” Redman said. “In short, this legislation will not survive constitutional scrutiny.”

He added that similar legal challenges were filed in Kansas and Arizona.

One of the bill's authors, Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, previously told The Oklahoman that he was not sure how many contracts or companies might be affected.

McBride also said that the goal of the bill is to support Israel as a national ally, and that he supported the legislation because of his Christian faith.

“The Bible is clear that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed,” he previously said.

CAIR officials said they have been trying to start talks with Senate leaders over the bill.

Kayla Branch

Kayla Branch covers county government and poverty for The Oklahoman. Branch is a native Oklahoman and graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She joined The Oklahoman staff in April 2019.
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